SENIORS OF DISTINCTION 2021 PROGRAM A MESSAGE FROM DEAN NAWAL AMMAR

Dean’s Welcome Guest Speaker - Michael Hedayat Office of Alumni Engagement

Presentation of Awards ongratulations on being the Seniors of most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” Distinction class of 2021. You are a Undoubtedly the lessons you learned to earn this distinction Class like no other. You not only excelled will serve you as you begin your journey of advancing inC your academic careers but you outclassed during society. Meanwhile, don’t forget the small ways you can unprecedented circumstances. For two and half help make the world a better place like asking someone semesters you transitioned to working remotely how they are, and really meaning it; giving up your seat to and some of you attended classes in-person but someone on the bus or train; allowing someone else their with a reduced capacity. Despite the extraordinary time to shine; spending less time online; focusing on the circumstances you persevered and stood out completing positive and having fun. your degree. By now you know that success requires We are and will continue to be proud of your sacrifice. Pele, a Brazilian/Portuguese soccer player, perseverance, consistency, and hard work. What is the Seniors of Distinction Award? one of the greatest players of all time and labeled “the I wish you all the best in your life journey wherever it greatest, once said, “Success is no accident. It is hard takes you, and don’t forget to get in touch with us to let us Every year our programs have the tough task of choosing one student who stands out among their peers in the work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and know the great and small things you are doing. major—a student who not only demonstrates academic achievement but represents the best in the discipline. Receiving the designation of “Senior of Distinction” is indeed an honor but also a responsibility. We expect our Seniors of Distinctions to make an impact as they progress through their careers and serve their communities. We also urge our Seniors of Distinctions to stay connected with Rowan, with the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and with their department or program so that we can celebrate their successes! DEPARTMENT CHAIRS/COORDINATORS

MICHAEL HEDAYAT Michael J. Hedayat is an attorney practicing in New Jersey and New York. Michael received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Rowan University. During his undergraduate enrollment, Michael successfully completed the University of Virginia’s Semester at Sea program while traveling through ten countries in Africa, Chanelle Rose Katherine Turner DeMond Miller Zena Meadowsong Disaster Preparedness & Europe, and Asia. Africana Studies American Studies Emergency Management English He studied law at New York Law School; through the University of Oxford; through Tulane University Law School’s Rhodes Program in Greece and completed his Juris Doctor degree at the Florida State University College of Law. While at FSU Law, Michael was formally recognized for his distinguished Pro Bono Service with the Second Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. He also served as a Clinical Counselor at Florida State’s Business Law Clinic.

After graduating Michael was honored to be the first judicial law clerk for the Honorable Avis Bishop- Thompson, J.S.C. at the Bergen County Vicinage in New Jersey. During his clerkship, Michael was certified by the New Jersey Administrative Offices of the Courts as a court mediator. Interestingly, Mr. Mike Weiss Joy Wiltenberg Hedayat was sworn into the Bar of the State of New Jersey by his sister, Kathrine E. Hedayat, who also Janet Lindman Sharon McCann Kelly Duke-Bryant Law and Justice History Human Services International Studies; Liberal Studies practices as an attorney in New Jersey. Area Studies Studies His practice is limited to serious personal injury matters and medical malpractice. He is admitted before the federal and state courts of New Jersey. Michael is admitted before the state courts of New York as well as the United States Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C.

Marilyn Manley Ellen Miller Lawrence Markowitz Harriet Hartman Modern Languages & Philosophy; Political Science; Sociology; Linguistics; Spanish World Religions Economics Anthropology DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND AFRICANA STUDIES AMERICAN STUDIES ANTHROPOLOGY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ALEXIS THOMPSON ANTHONY CAMACHO DOMINIC FARGNOLI JUSTIN ELIOPOULOS

lexis embodies the Africana Studies nthony is commended by multiple ominic has been chosen as the 2021 n May 2021, Justin Elipoulos will earn a program’s core values of educational professors for his enthusiasm in Senior of Distinction in Anthropology BA in Disaster Preparedness and excellence, civic engagement, and classroom discussion, his careful and because he has proven to be a student Emergency Management. Justin is socialA justice. Majoring in Psychology and minoring conscientiousA research and coursework, and his whoD fully integrates his Anthropological training eagerI to serve in his community. As such, for in Africana Studies, Lex developed an activism intellectual curiosity. In Zoom meetings, Anthony with the skills drawn from other disciplines and over two years, he has been an EMT, a volunteer framework that addresses the generational trauma kept up the energy, was always well prepared for life experiences to map for himself an exciting firefighter, as well as a member of Bergen County’s of Black communities and works to create healing class, and eager to help other students understand academic career path in the Archaeological Special Operations Group (EMS Division). When and liberation. They proudly identify as a Black queer the material. He was happy to share his techniques sciences. A native of Blackwood, N.J., Mr. COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, he non-binary femme who centers their activism and with others, including navigating research tools. Fargnoli has been active in the classroom and the was one of the first responders involved with the advocacy around intersectionality and reproductive He works hard and shows improvement, both professional community. From his training in scuba response operations in his community as residents justice. As president of Generation Action, a student within courses and during his time at Rowan, diving in difficult conditions to his internship in field became ill. He used his training as a first responder organization that focuses on reproductive justice demonstrating that he takes feedback to heart survey and mapping to his hands-on analysis project and academic preparation to make a difference issues within various communities, Lex shared and is truly committed to learning. This hard work utilizing artifacts in the Museum of Anthropology in the lives of many. His dedication to service and their expertise during a roundtable discussion with has put Anthony on the Dean’s List every semester at Rowan University’s collections, Mr. Fargnoli commitment to continuous training, emergency Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman and since Fall 2018. He has achieved these academic has fashioned for himself a skill set and research exercises, and preparation, his responsibilities Congressman Donald Norcross as it relates to Title X pursuits while working full-time as a CVS manager, trajectory that we anticipate will carry him through increased with a promotion to Lieutenant of the and the Gag Rule. They’ve also participated in other developing positivity and “people skills” along with graduate degree work and onto an exciting career Corps in charge of training new EMTs and ordering conferences, such as the 2020 International Model customer service and team management abilities. as a maritime archaeologist. supplies during this pandemic. He is passionate African Union Conference, and an internship with Anthony’s goal is to teach elementary school and about emergency services and emergency Planned Parenthood. Lex plans to heighten their eventually enter administration. He credits the management; he intends to further his education activism by joining a nonprofit advocacy organization American Studies program with helping him grow in these fields with plans to enroll in Rowans that centers their activism values while also exploring “as a citizen of the country.” University’s Emergency and Threat Response other avenues that involve advocacy and grassroots Management Master of Science degree program organizing. and continue expanding his knowledge, training, and professional certifications in EMS, Firefighting, and specific Independent FEMA courses. ECONOMICS ENGLISH HISTORY HUMAN SERVICES EDWARD HUDAK MOLLY WOREK DENIS LONG CHRISTINA DIMATTEO

dward is enrolled as an Economics and olly exemplifies the English enis is a History major at Rowan hristina is a senior at Rowan University Computing and Informatics double major, Department’s commitment to with minors in American Studies, majoring in Human Services with a while also pursuing two certificates of academic excellence and intellectual International Studies, and a Certificate of minor in Psychology. She is a member undergraduateE studies: Management Information curiosity.M Pursuing a combined advanced degree UndergraduateD Study in Public History. As a member ofC Tau Sigma. She currently works at Jefferson Systems and Blockchain Technologies and program, she graduates with a BA in English, a of the CHSS Reps, Phi Alpha Theta, and SGA Health- Washington Township as a per diem Cryptocurrency. In his time at Rowan, Edward has Masters of Science in Teaching, and a minor in Senator for the Rowan Improfs, Denis has made it emergency department technician. In addition, been an integral part of the research process: International Studies. Her wide-ranging interests his mission to excel at Rowan as an academic and she is completing her field experience hours at first by working as a research assistant with Dr. and areas of expertise always result in imaginative as a leader. Some notable accomplishments in My Father’s House in Gloucester City. Christina Offenbacker of Civil Engineering, and then by engagement with literary texts, sharp and insightful his academics include his inclusion on the Dean’s graduated from Camden County College with working with Dr. Kapri of Economics after securing participation in class discussion, and skillful List and Chair’s List. He is the recipient of various her Associates in Human Services and a minor in the Mukhoti Research Scholarship. He has served analytical writing. Molly stands out as a true original, scholarships, most notably the first to receive the Addiction Counseling. Christina has a passion for his community by acting as Philanthropy Chair of distinguishing herself as a member of Rowan Edward and Stella Michals Memorial Scholarship, helping individuals find the tools and resources they Rowan’s Men D1AA Rugby Club. Edward has been University’s Intercollegiate Equestrian Team; a 2021 and he participated as a presenter in the McNeil need to better achieve their goals. In her free time, an active member and participant in multiple student Retired Racehorse Project trainer; a riding instructor Center for Early American Studies’ Undergraduate Christina enjoys spending time with her family. She organizations, including the Economics Society of in Japan; an aspiring English as a Foreign Language Research Workshop at the University of intends to complete her master’s in social work at Rowan, the Rowan Blockchain Studies Group, and teacher; a small business owner; and as Miss New in April of 2019. Denis plans to further their studies . the Rowan Student Investment Group. Edward Jersey Petite 2020. Her sense of purpose—whether in graduate school to fulfill his wish to become a has also contributed to Rowan’s growing e-sports reading a poem, teaching students, contributing to public historian and help educate the public on the program by founding Rowan’s Rocket League B her community, or pursuing new skills—is remarkable importance of learning from the past to create a team. and her potential boundless. brighter future. MODERN LANGUAGES INTERNATIONAL STUDIES LAW AND JUSTICE LIBERAL STUDIES AND LINGUISTICS KYNAAT MOOSVI ALEXIS KRILEY DEBRA POOLOS ERICH MAAS

ynaat is an International Studies aw and Justice Studies would like to ebra (Debbie) Poolos is a first- e are very proud of Erich Maas, our major in the Global and recognize Alexis Kriley as our 2021 generation, non-traditional, transfer chosen CHSS Senior of Distinction for Comparative Perspectives Senior of Distinction. Our faculty have student with a major in Liberal Studies the Major in Modern Languages and concentration,K and she is pursuing the honor’s beenL inspired and impressed by Alexis’s academic (sequencesD in American Studies and Women’s LinguisticsW (MLL). Erich is an outstanding student concentration and a CUGS in Arabic. A speaker of accomplishments with her double major and and Gender Studies) and a minor in Psychology. who will graduate in spring 2021 with his MLL multiple languages, she also knows Urdu. Kynaat minors, all while serving in many roles as a student While Debbie began her academic journey later Major, including Concentrations in Japanese and participated in Rowan’s Model United Nations course leader, athlete and maintaining her passion and than some, she brings her rich life experiences and Chinese, a B.S. in Computer Science, and a Minor in last spring, and even though the pandemic forced commitment for serving others during her time at enthusiasm to every class. She is passionate about Mathematics. He has also already begun his M.S. in the cancellation of the simulation, she prepared to Rowan. Alexis has been recognized as a Rowan supporting first-generation college students and Computer Science at Rowan. He has demonstrated serve as a diplomat representing Bolivia as part of Scholar-Athlete of Distinction, served as President participated as a First Generation Panelist at the first passion and dedication to his chosen fields through Rowan’s delegation. This spring, she is completing and Treasurer of the Law and Justice , annual First-Generation Symposium. After a recent his work at Rowan as a tutor for courses in Japanese, her Senior Seminar course, conducting comparative President of the Criminal Justice Preparation Club, career change from insurance to local government computer science, and computer programming, research on the recent rise in nationalism in India and as a senator for the Student-Athlete Advisory (in finance!), Debbie is excited about the future. and also as a Learning Assistant for Computer and the United States. She has considered pursuing Committee. She has also been involved with both Debbie will come back to continue her studies at Science labs. To complete his requirements for a career at the United Nations after graduation, the Philosophy and Political Science honor societies, the graduate level and is working to find her next MLL, he studied abroad in Tokyo, Japan during the where she would like to work on women’s issues, Prof Academy, Outstanding Women Leaders Group, spark of inspiration to guide her next steps. spring 2020 semester with KCP International. In but lately, she has become interested in working and volunteers often with Philabundance. She the future, his career will combine his two chosen for an international humanitarian organization completed internships with both the Diplomatic fields – he is interested in working in the areas of that advocates for and supports refugees. She is Security Service and the Federal Air Marshal which artificial intelligence, machine learning, and machine a member of Sigma Iota Rho, the national honor she credits with leading her to pursue a career in translation. society for International Studies. federal law enforcement! Congratulations, Alexis! PHILOSOPHY POLITICAL SCIENCE SOCIOLOGY SPANISH GIANNA HILL KEVIN MCCARTHY PHOEBE LEACH MA GUADALUPE BALLESTEROS JIMENEZ

ianna Hill is an Honors College student evin McCarthy has distinguished e distinguish Phoebe Leach among e are proud to honor Ma Guadalupe with majors in Philosophy and himself throughout his tenure at our talented cohort of seniors in Ballesteros Jimenez as our chosen International Studies and minors in Rowan. For the last three years, the Sociology program for her stellar CHSS Senior of Distinction for the SpanishG and Women’s and Gender Studies. She KevinK has been on the executive board of the gradeW point average, for her potent sociological SpanishW Major. Guadalupe is an outstanding has received numerous awards at Rowan, including Student Government Association, where he serves imagination, for her investment in connecting student who will graduate in Spring 2021 with her the Sigma Iota Rho Honor Society for International as The Assistant Vice President for Governmental theory and practice, and her extraordinary service to Spanish Major, Education Minor, and Certificate of Studies, the David Clowney Scholarship for top Relations. He also played a key role in the others. For two years, Phoebe has complemented Undergraduate Study in French. She is a member Junior Philosophy major, and Rowan’s President’s RowanVotes initiative, a university-wide effort to get her course of study as a double major in Sociology of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and Kappa Delta Scholars of Excellence. She serves as President for students registered, informed, and mobilized for the and Psychology by working with young people Pi, the International Honor Society in Education. three Rowan organizations: Phi Alpha Delta Law 2020 election. Kevin is a member of the Rowan EMS who present with severe challenging behavior at She plans a career as a Bilingual Teacher and has Fraternity, International Pre-Law Society, and Rowan team and has been throughout the pandemic. Kevin a residential facility and Rowan University’s SAFE demonstrated passion and dedication to her chosen Homeless Outreach. Gianna has served as a mentor also works with the Wellness Center conducting Behavior Lab. Phoebe recognizes how social forces field through her extensive work as a tutor and for the Honors College and has volunteered and COVID testing. Even with all of that going on, Kevin marginalize particular populations, and she seeks to volunteer with AmeriCorps, Pathstone.org, and worked for the College of Humanities and Social has managed to keep up with his studies. He is on employ her interdisciplinary set of skills to serve and Unidos para la Familia. With these organizations, Sciences. Gianna plans to attend law school after track to earn two BAs, one in DPEM and the other in empower these populations. Later this year, she she has tutored Spanish, ESL, Mathematics, Writing graduation and hopes to have her own practice Political Science. As a Political Science major, Kevin will commence the Master of Social Work course and Reading, with a focus on serving members centered on creating legal access for others. The earned membership to Pi Sigma Alpha, the National of study at Rutgers School of Social Work. As a of minority groups. Additionally, she completed Philosophy and World Religions Department is Honors Society for Political Science. social worker and an advocate, Phoebe will enrich an internship at Unidos para la Familia, where she very proud of Gianna’s accomplishments and lives, advance social justice, and bring credit to her tutored in Spanish writing for Hispanics preparing contributions to the department and university undergraduate alma mater. for the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) and community. We look forward to hearing how she GED diploma. uses her intelligence, passion, and commitment to service in the next chapter of her life. Contact:

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